The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-02
THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO.

REV. j. P. MAGICIAN, of Hamilton,
o., is lecturing this season, not only On
his speciality, ''The Mound Builders"
but also on Mexico and the story of its
conquest. Following is a report of
this lecture, as given in Cleveland,
printed in the Plaindealer of that city:
The Conquest of Mexico was the
subject Of an interesting lecture last
evening in the board of education room
before the Western Reserve historical
society of Northern Ohio. Prof. j. p.
MacLean, of Hamilton, took the society
back three hundred and fifty years to
the palmy days of Montezuma, when
Mexico was the greatest empire of the
western continent. He told in detail,
the story of the Spanish invasions un-
der the tyrant Cortez, and how that
monarchy crumbled into dust. The
customs of the people were touched
upon with the skill of an arch@ologist
well acquainted with his subject. AS
an afterpiece to the lecture he exhibited
stereopticon pictures of men, temples
and gods with lantern.
Professor MacLean lectured last year
before the society on the ''Mound Build
ers of Ohio" Formerly in the employ
ment of the government, he now de-
votes himself alone to archaeological
research and lectures upon kindred sub
jects. He is about forty years of age,
below the medium size and has a
smooth face. His lectures are deliver
ed with easy diction, partly from man
uscript and partly extempore.
The lecture first gave photography
of the historical literature of Mexico.
First was mentioned the work by B Ter
nal Diaz, written in 1850, shortly afte r
the conquest. 1t is invaluable and a
recognized authority on most matters
of Mexican history. Speaking of Pres
colts great work he said it is the most
generally read and the most pleasant
reading, but it is also unreliable. It
will always be a standard work, be-
cause it is by countryman ana most
fascinatingly written. The History of
Hubert III. Bancroft was recommended
as the most correct and valuable history
of the conquest which is extant.
To get Mexico at her best the speaker
said it is necessary to go back $50 years,
when she was not sixth rate power,
but the greatest in this country. An
account was given of the first steps of
the Spanish conquest, when an expedi-
ton was sent out by Velesquez, COVER
nor of Cuba, in 1913. He had heard of
the rich emperor of Mexico, and his
first idea was trade, not war. Cortez
was at the head of this expedition, and
changed his purpose from peace to war
as soon as he landed on the continent.
OF the great leaders of the Spaniards
Cortez was the greatest. He was a
man of wonderful control over others;
at the same time he never kept his
promises. He was consummate ty-
rant; his whole life was one of deceit,
but there never was drawer man. He
died in obscurity. Cortez's captains
were men of great bravery, and in fact
there never was an army of greater val
Or.
The fleet, consisting of ten vessels,
sailed from Cuba, November II, 1918.
There were 700 men in the army and
ten field pieces, bat the army was after
ward greatly augmented. AS soon as
Cortez landed in Mexico he ordered all
his vessels sunk except one. Then he
gave those who wanted to chance to
return. He caused himself to be pro-
claimed governor of all Mexico, and
laid plans for the conquest. A resume
was given of the march from the coast of
the City of Mexico, which the conqueror
easily entered November s, 1919, by
SOhAlhuISC WlOu OiiC VI ll1C N1CAlCdu
princes.
Speaking of the system of government
the lecturer said that the succession of
rulers was not from father to son, but
the monarchy was awarded to the BRAY
est in the war. The people, to a great
extent, we're ruled by the priests. Their
system of religion was modelled upon
that of the ancients, but they believed
in one supreme divinity and he was a
little too sacred to be worshiped. They
spoke Of him with reverence and fear.
They built huge temples, the largest of
which was that of Cholula, 10 feet
high, requiring 100000 men twenty
years to build it. They did not wor-
ship Idols, but the images they made
represented, or stood for their many
gods.
COrtez took Montezuma prisoner
when he entered the city and exhibited
him in chains. But when he heard that
Narvaez was sent out from Cuba to
supersede him in command, leaving his
faithful Captain Alvarado in charge of
the city with small force, he marched